Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Lidl

The oppidum of the Celtic Alobroges became a Roman colony about 47 BC under Julius Caesar, but the Allobroges managed to expel the Romans. The exiles moved north and founded the colony of Lugdunum (today's Lyon). During the early Empire, Vienna regained all its former privileges as a Roman colony. The city flourished and became the second capital of southern Gaul during the Roman Empire. The first Christians lived in Vienne around 100 AD. In the 3rd century, the city became a bishopric. After the death of the childless last Burgundian king Rudolf III. Vienne fell in 1032 to the German king Conrad II and thus to the Holy Roman Empire. In the 12th century, Vienne became the capital of the Dauphiné. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Vienne experienced an economic boom, numerous houses were built in the half-timbered style of the time, and the cathedral was completed. During the Wars of Religion, the city was fought over and frequently looted. Vienne has a Lidl supermarket just a few hundred meters from the city center. The traces of such a development are visible.

Legends tell, that in the 6th century a hermit named Porcianus, later known as Saint Pourcain founded a monastery on the height of land overlooking the river. The monastery was restored between 871 and 875 by monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Philibert, (today in Loire-Atlantique), who had fled the Noirmoutier Abbey traying to bring St. Philiberts relics into safety from the the Norman raids. They stayed for a couple of years and settled finally in Tournus. The monastery of Saint-Pourçain became a priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed and its church "Sainte Croix" became a parish church. I had noticed the decline of many stores here several years ago. More and more businesses were given up. The situation obviously did not improve since a Lidl store opened

Legends tell, that in the 6th century a hermit named Porcianus, later known as Saint Pourcain founded a monastery on the height of land overlooking the river. The monastery was restored between 871 and 875 by monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Philibert, (today in Loire-Atlantique), who had fled the Noirmoutier Abbey traying to bring St. Philiberts relics into safety from the the Norman raids. They stayed for a couple of years and settled finally in Tournus. The monastery of Saint-Pourçain became a priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed and its church "Sainte Croix" became a parish church. I had noticed the decline of many stores here several years ago. More and more businesses were given up. The situation obviously did not improve since a Lidl store opened

Legends tell, that in the 6th century a hermit named Porcianus, later known as Saint Pourcain founded a monastery on the height of land overlooking the river. The monastery was restored between 871 and 875 by monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Philibert, (today in Loire-Atlantique), who had fled the Noirmoutier Abbey traying to bring St. Philiberts relics into safety from the the Norman raids. They stayed for a couple of years and settled finally in Tournus. The monastery of Saint-Pourçain became a priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed and its church "Sainte Croix" became a parish church. I had noticed the decline of many stores here several years ago. More and more businesses were given up. The situation obviously did not improve since a Lidl store opened

An Intermarché and a Lidl in the outskirts of Jonzac made it impossible for the Epicerie Centrale to survive.

Fabrezan lost about half of its population within a century. Today about 1200 people live here, not enough to keep this little shop going. New supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl attract more and more customers - and so there is no future for small businesses and shops like this. - Fermeture définitive..

Behind every given up shop is a tragedy. Rural exodus is a big problem for small villages. German discounters Lidl and Aldi have opened about 2500 supermarkets in France since 1988. There is just no future..

The rural exodus, that started in the hamlets and villages, has reached the small towns. With a population of about 1500, more populous towns with supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl only 20-30 kms around, there is no future for small businesses like these shops in Montmarault. The main road is lined by empty shops.

I have seen quite a lot of these "a vendre" signs. Behind every single given up shop is a tragedy. There may be many reasons. Rural exodus is a big problem for small villages. German discounters Lidl and Aldi have opened about 2500 supermarkets in France since 1988.

The rural exodus leaves its mark. With a population of less than 500, supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl in the larger communities, there is no future for the businesses in villages like L'Isle-de-Noé. When this facade, with it´s wonderful golden lettering was created, there was still much hope